Strength Training Assembly

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, method of construction and method of use of a strength training assembly which also has the ability of aiding in user rehabilitation. The apparatus includes an elongate bar with a first end and a second end, with a first retaining member fixed proximate to the first end, and a second retaining member capable of releasably securing one or more weights against the first retaining member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/856,280, filed Sep. 16, 2015, and claims thebenefit of and priority thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a strength training assembly and tomethods for its use.

Athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and others continuously seek newtechniques to increased strength and performance. Many such personsengage in weight training to increase strength or otherwise improvemuscular function, which may include the use of either free weightsand/or weight machines. One problem experienced by those engaged inweight training, however, is that the repetitive lifting of weights maysometimes inhibit flexibility and/or mobility, particularly around theshoulder region. Repetitive motion, especially if a lifter does not liftweights with proper procedure and/or form, may decrease muscle lengthand thereby decrease a lifter's range in motion. Thus, although weighttraining is an effective approach to increasing strength, such increasedstrength is often achieved at the cost of diminished mobility andflexibility.

Moreover, weight training can potentially strain a person's spine,leading to pain and discomfort. Although some degree of weight-bearingis essential for spinal health, too much weight on the spine duringweight training can cause spinal discs to move or bulge. Exercises thatincrease the axial load on the spine are especially prone to increasespine strain and back pain. Physical therapists often only recommendstretches to fix such issues.

What is desired, therefore, is a strength training device that improvesa user's mobility and flexibility, while avoiding spinal injury.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a strengthtraining assembly.

FIG. 2 shows a partially disassembled view of a portion of the assemblyshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of an end of the strength trainingassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows the assembly shown in FIG. 1, held in a static position bya user.

FIG. 5 shows the assembly shown in FIG. 1, swung in a pendulum motion bya user, during use of the assembly in a preferred strength trainingprocedure.

FIG. 6 shows the assembly shown in FIG. 1 held at a vertical position infront of a user, during use of the assembly in the preferred strengthtraining procedure of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of strength training assembly 10, whichin an exemplary use as described later in this specification,advantageously allows a user to both increase strength while alsoimproving shoulder mobility. The use of the strength training assembly10 as later described also tends to reduce or avoid the occurrence ofspinal injuries that are endemic to some other strength trainingexercises. The strength training assembly 10 may include an elongate bar12 having a first end 14 capable of retaining at least one weight 24 anda second end 16 capable of being grasped by a person. In someembodiments, the elongate bar 12 has a length preferably within therange of 40 to 50 inches, and more preferably in the range of 47 to 48inches. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that otherembodiments may have different lengths than those just described.

The elongate bar 12 is preferably cylindrical and dimensioned at thesecond end 16 so as to easily permit the bar 12 to be grasped by aperson. For example, in one embodiment, the elongate bar 12 may have adiameter of approximately 1.125 inches, though those of ordinary skillin the art will appreciate that other dimensions may be used. It shouldalso be understood that, although the elongate bar 12 is shown in thedrawings as having a relatively constant diameter along a majority ofthe distance from the second end 16 to the first end 14, otherembodiments may include an elongate bar 12 with a diameter that variesalong the length of the elongate bar 12. Such a variable diameter may beuseful, for example, in embodiments where a large amount of structuralstrength is needed at the second end—requiring thicker material—oralternatively in embodiments where a large diameter is needed at thesecond end to matingly retain weights having a large inner aperture butwhere that diameter is greater than what a typical person could securelygrasp. It should also be understood that, although the cylindricalconfiguration of the elongate bar 12 shown in the figures has a circularcross section, other cylindrical configurations may have cross sectionsof any other appropriate shape, e.g., hexagonal, square, triangular,etc.

The first end 14 preferably includes a first retaining member 23 (shownin FIG. 2) rigidly affixed at the first end 14 of the elongate bar 12and a second retaining member 22 slidable along the length of theelongate bar 12. The first retaining member 23 preferably includes a cap18 having a retaining surface 20 that faces the second end 12. Thesecond retaining member 22 and the retaining surface 20 cooperate toselectively and rigidly retain a desired one or more of a plurality ofweights 24 between the first retaining member 22 and the retainingsurface 20. For example, the second retaining member 22 and theretaining surface 20 may be configured to selectively retain one weightof a desired value, e.g., 15 lbs., or two weights of e.g., 15 lbs., orone weight of 15 lbs. and another weight of 5 lbs., etc., therebyallowing such an assembly 10 to be beneficial for users of a variety offitness levels.

In one embodiment shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, the firstretaining member 23 is located at the first end of the elongate bar 12and has a cap 18 surrounding one end of a sleeve 26 that itself has aninner diameter shaped and sized to snugly fit over the cylindricalelongate bar 12. The sleeve 26 preferably has an outer diameter sized tomatingly receive apertures of each of a set of one or more weightsassociated with the assembly 10, and in a preferred embodiment, thesleeve 26 has an outer diameter sized to matingly receive one or morestandard Olympic-sized weights. The cap 18 is preferably sized to formthe retaining surface 20 perpendicular to, and surrounding the outersurface the sleeve 26 so that any weights that are slid over the sleeve26 towards the first end 14 do not fall off the assembly 10.

The sleeve 26 of the first retaining member 23 preferably has an outersurface that is threaded, and the second retaining member 22 preferablyhas an inner aperture 28 similarly threaded so that the second retainingmember may be selectively screwed over the sleeve 26. In this fashion,one or more weights located around the sleeve 26 may be selectively andreleasably secured in place by rotating the second member 22 around thethreads of the sleeve 26. Those of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate, however, that other mechanisms exist for securing weightsagainst the retaining surface 20. For example, the second retainingmember 22 may include a clamping mechanism that clamps around the outersurface of the sleeve 26. In such embodiments the outer surface of thesleeve 26 may be smooth rather than threaded, or may instead includenotches or grooves to facilitate clamping of the second retaining member22 to the first retaining member 23. In any such configuration, thesecond retaining member 22 is preferably capable of allowing a user tochange weights 24 quickly depending on a user's preference and withouthaving to alternate between different strength training devices.

The second end 16 may preferably include a grip-enhancing surface 32.Such a grip-enhancing surface 32 may include a rough, cross-hatcheddesign, as shown in FIG. 1, or may include other grip-enhancingproperties such as a rubber surface. The position and size of thegrip-enhancing surface 32 on the elongate bar 12 may be varied, and insome instances, the grip-enhancing surface may extend a significantdistance along the elongate bar 12 to permit a user to grasp the bar atvarious positions along its length, thereby varying the torque or momentof the assembly 10 as it is swung in accordance with the proceduredescribed later in the specification.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the disclosed strength training apparatusmay comprise an assembly that may in some embodiments be fabricated froman elongate bar 12, a first retaining member 23, and a second retainingmember 22. The first retaining member 22 may in turn be assembled from asleeve 26 and a cap 18. As indicated previously, in some embodiments,threads may be formed on the outer surface of the sleeve 26 prior toassembling the first retaining member on the elongate bar 12. Similarly,threads may preferably be formed on the inner surface of the secondretaining member 22, and which surrounds aperture 30 by which the secondretaining member is selectively slid along the elongate bar 12.

The sleeve 26 may in some embodiments be between approximately 2 to 5inches in length, and more preferably approximately 3-4 inches long. Thethreaded portion of the sleeve 26 may in some embodiments beapproximately 2.5 inches long. The cap 18 may in some embodiments beapproximately 0.375 inches thick and approximately 3 inches in diameter.

The first retaining member 23 may preferably be assembled prior toattachment to the elongate bar 12. For example, the first retainingmember 23 may be formed by welding the cap 18 to a flanged end of thesleeve 26. Once the first retaining member 23 is formed, the firstretaining member 23 may be slid over the elongate bar 12 and welded inplace using a spin welding process or other suitable technique.

Other methods of securely fastening the retaining member 23 to the firstend 14 of the elongate bar 12 may be used, if desired. For example, thefirst retaining member 23 may be assembled on the elongate bar 12 byfirst sliding sleeve 26 onto the elongate bar 12 and fastening it inplace proximate the edge of the first end 14 by any appropriate means,such as welding or applying an adhesive. Then the cap 18 may be mountedaround the outer perimeter of the sleeve 26 so that it is flush with theedge of the first end 14 and similarly fastened in place by anyappropriate means, such as welding, applying an adhesive, etc.

If a welding process is used to secure either the sleeve 26 to theelongate bar 12 or the cap 18 to the sleeve 26, the welds may preferablybe ground to be flush with the edge of the first end 14. The secondretaining member 22 may thereby be selectively, detachably mountable tothe sleeve 26 at a desired location along the length of the sleeve 26.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the firstretaining member 23 may be assembled or fabricated from other processes,as desired. For example, the first retaining member may be forged arounda mold and then threaded, or alternatively may be simply cut from asolid metal bar and subsequently threaded. It should also be understoodthat the retaining member 23, as well as other components of theassembly 10, may be fashioned of any appropriate material, such as iron,steel, metal alloys, fiber-reinforced composite material, etc. In someembodiments, all parts may be plated with an appropriate material, suchas zinc and/or nickel plating.

In use, when a user desires to attach weights to the assembly, the usermay select one or more weights 24 and insert the second end of the bar16 into the one or more apertures of the weights 36, and slide theweight or weights toward the retaining surface 20. After assembling adesired amount of weight, a user inserts the second end of the bar 16into the aperture of the second retaining member 22. The one or moreweights 24 may then be secured against the retaining surface 20 byrotating the second retaining member 22 around the first retainingmember 23 until the weight or weights are secured.

FIGS. 4 through 6 show one technique of using the strength trainingassembly. As mentioned, the use of the assembly provides a variety ofbenefits to a user, especially a user who engages in weight training.The assembly described herein advantageously increases user strengthwhile improving shoulder mobility without tending to cause spinalinjury. In the method shown, a user 34 lifts the assembly 10 so that thesecond end 12 is over his or her head and the first end 14, with anyattached weights, is behind his or her back. This is preferably astarting position from which use of the strength training assembly maybegin.

Next, the user 34 may swing the assembly 10 in a controlled manner in apendulum motion over an arc 32 that extends at least partially behind auser's back, as exemplified in FIG. 5. Such an activity, wherein theuser must counteract the force of gravity to swing the weights in thependulum motion, engages and stretches all of the user's shouldermuscles, and the muscles that support the shoulder, which improvesshoulder mobility and strength.

Gradually, the user may increase the length of the arc by which theweights swing in a pendulum motion, until the weights reach an apexabove and in front of a user's head (shown in FIG. 6), such that theuser may no longer swing the assembly on a pendulum motion but insteadguide the weights along a circuitous route in either a clockwise orcounterclockwise rotation from the apex position shown in FIG. 6,downwards behind the user's back to the originating position shown inFIG. 4, and upwards again to the apex position of FIG. 6.

This exercise also engages a user's core muscles and improves spinalhealth for two reasons. First, since the user must engage his or hercore muscles to counteract the force of the weight 24 behind the user'sback, which would otherwise pull the user's shoulders backward anddownward, the use of this procedure will strengthen the user's coremuscles, over time. Secondly, the procedure described causes a user tonaturally maintain a proper spinal position throughout the exercise soas to not lose balance. Specifically, as the user is swinging theassembly with the weights behind the back, the weights will prevent theuser's shoulders from slumping forward while, at the same time, the userwill need to keep his or her back from arching backwards to maintainbalance. The same is also true while the weight is in front of theuser's body, i.e., to maintain balance, the user will tend not to movethe shoulders forward into a slouched position while the weight preventsthe person's back from arching.

Such a strength training exercise is especially advantageous to weightlifters. By increasing muscle mass, weight lifting often decreasesshoulder mobility and impairs spine positioning. The non-stationarycharacter of such an exercise greatly improves shoulder mobility by bothengaging and stretching shoulder muscles thereby employing the fullrange of motion of a user's shoulders while engaging the user's core. Inaddition, the user's balance is improved because of the length of thebar, practicing such a pendulum motion, shifts the weights 24 from oneside of the user's body to another.

The exercise just described is highly strenuous, and needs only arelatively small amount of weights attached to the assembly 10 to beeffective for the purposes just described. For example, an individualwho might typically bench press approximately 350 lbs. may require onlyapproximately 35-40 lbs. of weight on the assembly. Thus, the assembly10 shown in FIGS. 1-3 may be effective even while having a relativelycompact spacing of the sleeve 23.

The terms and expressions that have been employed in the foregoingspecification are used therein as terms of description and not oflimitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms andexpressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and describedor portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the inventionis defined and limited only by the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising an elongate bar having afirst end and a second end; a first retaining member fixedly locatedproximate said first end and having a retaining surface facing saidsecond end; and a second retaining member capable of releasably securinga selective one or more of a plurality of different sized weightsagainst retaining surface.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 where said secondend includes a grip-enhancing surface.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wheresaid elongate bar has a circular cross-section.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1 where said first end includes a threaded portion extending fromsaid first retaining member toward said second end, until auser-selected location on said elongate bar.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4where said second retaining member has an aperture sized to accept saidelongate bar and wherein said aperture includes threads that correspondto said threaded portion of said elongate bar, whereby said threadspermits said second retaining member to be secured to said elongate bar.6. A method for constructing a strength training assembly capable ofselectively retaining a selective one or more of a plurality ofdifferent sized weights, the method comprising forming an elongatecylindrical first piece having a first end and a second end; attaching asecond piece to said first end said second piece having a planarretaining surface facing said second end after attachment; and forming athird piece slidably engageable around said elongate first piece andcapable of selectively, twistably securing said selective one or more ofsaid plurality of different sized weights against said planar retainingsurface.
 7. The method of claim 6 where said forming of said elongatefirst piece includes forging a threaded portion proximate said firstend.
 8. The method of claim 6 where said forming of said first pieceincludes forming an elongate bar.
 9. The method of claim 8 where saidforming of said first piece includes forming an elongate bar with acircular cross-sectional area.
 10. The method of claim 9 where saidforming of said third piece includes forming an aperture within saidthird piece that corresponds with the cross-sectional area of said firstpiece.
 11. The method of claim 10 where said forming of said third pieceincludes forging a threaded portion within said third piece wherein saidthreaded portion within said third piece corresponds to said threadedportion proximate said first end thereby allowing said third piece to besecurable to said first piece.
 12. A method for using a strengthtraining assembly, said assembly including an elongate bar having afirst end and a second end, for retaining a relative one or moredifferent sized weights, said method comprising gripping said second endof said elongate bar; and lifting said assembly such that said one ormore different sized weights are behind a user's back while said usergrips said second end above said user's head; and swinging said assemblyin a pendulum motion over an arc extending partially behind said user'sback.